Apparatus for the production of diagonal-strand fabrics



y 1 F. B. RILEY 1.719.341

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original Filed July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet July 2, 1929. RILEY 1,719.34]

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original Filed July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-$heet 2 F. B. RILEY July 2, 1929.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original Filed July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 4%6/4 WIM July 2, 1929. F. B. RILEY 1,719,341

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original Filed July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 F. B. RILEY July 2, 1929.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original Filed July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet I ma l'iwnior: M

Z!) nasa- July 2, 1929. F. B. RILEY 1,719,341

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original Filed July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 F. B. RILEY Jul 2, 1929.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original E'iled July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I I IIIIH fill y 1929- F. B. RILEY 1,719,341

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL STRAND FABRICS Original Filed July 24, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 7 6'4 jwenbm Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES FRANCIS B. RILEY, OF NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIAGONAL-STRAND FABRICS.

Application filed July 24, 1925, Serial No. 45,957. Renewed November 23, 1928.

The present invention relates to apparatus for producing a fabric of interlocking strands more particularly adapted for open grilles, ornamental inserts, seatings, and like purposes.-

The fabric is particularly adapted for the utilization of metal cane, reed, and similar 01' equivalent materials either in the form of a fiat rib and/or having a partially rounded or round cross section. With the use of nonflaccid strands of this general character, an open mesh grille like pattern may be produced, which is attractive in appearance and is capable of withstanding strains without distortion or displacement of the strands and which may be successfully employed for any purpose for which similar open fabrics are now employed. The fabric is preferably completed in a single operation and without the necessity of manual manipulation on the part of the operator during the process of manufacture.

The fabric produced by the present machine may be employed as an ornamental insert in articles of furniture, as an insert for the seats and backs of chairs and similar articles, as a grille, as a reinforcement for plaster, concrete-or like materials, or for fencing and similar purposes.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, 1g. 1 represents a rear elevation of a machine embodying the features of the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section in elevation of a machine taken on the line 22 of F g. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial elevation of the machine illustrating the main driving control and the mechanism for operating the feed rolls; Fig. 4 is a detail illustrating a partial slde elevation of the machine and illustrating the mechanism for operating the grooved feed rolls; Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating a front elevation of the cooperating shed forming teeth and showing the position of the strands with relation thereto; Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating a section of a portion of the shed forming teeth and cooperating feed rolls illustrating the relationship of the rolls and shed forming teeth with respect to the strands; Fig. 7 is a detail illustrating partially in section the mechanism for stopping the machine in case the cross locking strand is not inserted in the shed passage; Fig. 8 is a detail illustrating a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a detail illustrating the mechanism for feeding the cross locking strand; Fig. 10 is a view of the same mechanism taken at right angles to Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the mechanism for guiding and feeding the diagonal strands automatically into engagement with the cooperating feed rolls; Fig. 12 is a partial elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11 for feeding and guiding one of the diagonal strands; Fig. 13 is a detail illus trating the mechanism for intermittently feeding and cutting the strands; Fig. 14 is a detail illustrating a side elevation of the mechanism for controlling the movements of the diagonal strand; Fig. 15 is a detail illustrating a transverse section of the guiding means shown in Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 illustrating the means for normally maintaining the guide passage in closed position; Fig. 17 is a detail illustrating the mechanism for cutting the diagonal strands to a predetermined length; Fig. 18 is a detail illustrating the cutter for the cross locking strand; Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuit for operating the stop motion in the event of failure of the diagonal strand feed to operate; Fig. 20 illustrates one form of fabric produced by the machine; Fig. 21 illustrates a modified form of fabric; and Fig. 22 is a detail illustrating a view of the spring contacts positioned in operative relation to the diagonal strand guide rolls.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the machine comprises a frame 30 having mounted therein upper and lower cross-heads 32 and 33 respectively. The upper cross-head is provided with oppositely disposed arms 34, each of which is journaled on a trunnion 36, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. The lower crosshead is provided with arms 38 journaled on trunnions 40. The two arms are oscillated in unison to move the cross-heads toward and from one another through interconnected linkage comprising upper and lower bell cranks 42 and 44 connected with the arms through short links 46 and 48. The two bell cranks are connected with one another by an adjustable connecting link 49. The operation of the bell cranks to impart the requisite movements to the cross-heads is imparted through a continuously rotating cam 50 engaging with a roll 52 journaled upon the end of the levers 44. The rotation of this cam moves the cross-heads toward and from one another at redetermined intervals. Mounted on eac of the'cross-heads is a supporting bar 60 having detachably connected thereto plates 62 and 64 provided with suitably formed shed forming teeth. As indicated more particularly in Figs; 5 and 6, the shed forming teeth intermesh when the cross-heads are moved into operative relation and engage and deflect predetermined strands therebetween to form a shallow shed passage approximating the depth of the cross strand, as indicated in Fig. 6. The dimensions of the shed passage are governed by transverese slots formed 1n the shed forming teeth, which register to form a continuous passage when the teethintermesh, as indicated. By providing the shed forming teeth as a series of sections, the teeth may be readily interchanged when broken or when it is desired to substitute different shed forming members. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the cross-heads and-trunnions for supporting the cross-heads are of fairly massive construction in order to transmit the desired deflection pressure -to the strands without distorting or straining the parts. It will be evident that through the employment of the toggle mechanism for exerting the desired pressure, a substantial pressure may be exerted throughout the entire width of the machine. The strands extendin lengthwise of the pattern are guided and ed to the shed forming members by a pair of cooperating feed' rolls and 72 which engage the strands in close proximity to the shed forming members, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 0. Each of these rolls is provided with a helical strand guiding groove which is adapted to engage with individual diagonal strands and maintain these strands in the proper angular relationship during the formation of the pattern. As indicated more particularly in the drawings, one set of diagonal strands is engaged and guided by the helical groove of the upper roll and the cooperating set of diagonal strands extending in the opposite direction is engaged and guided by the lower roll. These rolls are rotated in opposite directions so that the two sets of strands are traversed in opposite directions across the width 'of-the'pattern, one set of strands being started atone end of the rolls and the second set of strands being started at the opposite end of the rolls. As these diagonal strands are fed into position between the shed forming teeth, the latter engage and deflect the strands, forming a continuous shed passage into which a cross strand is inserted. The operation of the feeding and guiding rolls is therefore intermittent and in timed relation to the operation of the shed forming teeth, the rolls rotating to feed the diagonal strands and thereafter being held motionless whilev of its length through continued rotation of the guide rolls. The'operation of the guide rolls is accomplished through a ratchet wheel mounted on the outer' end of a shaft 82 connected to the upper guide roll and op erated by.a pawl 84. A The pawl is pivoted at 86 upon an arm 88 journaled on the axis of the ratchet wheel 80. The pawl is nor mally moved in a direction to operate the ratchet through a connecting rod 90 connected at its lower end with a lever 92 pivoted at 94 and-operated from a peripheral cam 96 through a roll 98 engaging therewith.

It will be evident that-upon an oscillatory movement of the arm 88 to the right in Fig.

4 the ratchet wheel is advanced to rotate the feed roll. The two rolls are causedto operate in unison .but in opposite directions 1 through intermeshing gears 100 and 102 of uniform diameter and number of teeth.

In producing the type of fabric illustrated in Fig. 21, it is essential to impart a relative side shifting movement to the fabric and she'd forming teeth. This is conveniently accomplished by bodily shiftng the feed rolls in an endwise direction and to this end the two rolls and intermeshing drivegears and 102 are mounted in a sliding box 104, which is actuated intermittently by the lever106 shown in Fig. :3. This lever is oscillated to impart the desired side shifting movement to the rolls by a face cam 108 continuously rotated through a s rocket wheel 109 and driving chain 112 rom a drive sprocket 114 which is mounted on the main drive shaft 116, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4. When producing the fabric shown in Fig. 20, the lever 106 may be disconnected so that no-side shift is imparted to the feed; rolls, in which .case the set screw 111 is tightened to prevent side movement of the feed rollers. The operating cam 108 is so designed that the feed rolls occupy alternately two positions dur-.

ing the formation of each successive pas-. sage. As will be evident 'from Fig. 3, the lever is retained in operative engagement with the face cam through a spring 10.

After the formation of the shed passage,

a cross strand is inserted automatically through the mechanism illustrated more particularly in Figs. 9 and 10. The mechanism,

as illustrated, for'inserting the cross strand.

is supported upon one side of the machine 7 frame in line with the shed passage formed by the cooperating shed formng teeth. This mechanism comprises a continuously rotating feed roll 113 having a strand guiding groove 115 which is sufficiently large to take the largest strand which may be used. The.

roll 113 is supported upon a bracket 117 mounted upon the side of the machine frame, as shown in Fig. 1, and is continuously rotated through a pulley 118 mounted on the opposite end of the roll shaft 120 and connected with a drive belt 122 passing at its lower end about a larger drive pulley 124. The drive pulley 124 is journaled in a bracket 126 and is rotated through intermeshin bevel gears 128 and 130. The strand 1S intermittently clamped to the continuously rotated lower feed roll 113 by a cooperating roll 132 journaled upon the outer end of an arm 134 pivoted to a bracket 135 at 136. This arm is oscillated at intervals to move the two rolls into engagement by a connecting rod 138 engaged at its lower end through a roll 140 with a peripheral operating cam 1.42. A spring 144 normally maintains the roll in engagement with the periphery of the cam. The operation is such that upon downward movement of the roll 132 into the groove 115 the strand lying in the groove is gripped and passed into an interchangeable box 133. The guiding slot is approximately the size in cross section of the strand and accurately delivers the strand into the previously formed shed passage. The two rolls are maintained in operative relation until the insertion of the cross strand is substantially completed. Thereafter the upper roll is raised, this movement automatically severing the cross strand adjacent the point of insertion. To this end, as indicated more particularly in Fig. 10, the oscillatory arm 134 is provided "at its inner end with a cutter 150, which cooperates with a stationary cutter 152 to sever the strand upon elevation of the roll 132. The two cutters when fiat strands are used are so designed that a V-cut is made, pointing the end of the next entering strand. The endless length of material for supplying cross strands is mounted on the lower part of the machine frame on a reel or roll 154. From this roll the strand passes between upper and lower guide rolls 156 and 158, the upper roll being maintained in engagement with the strand by a weighted arm 160. The lower roll is mounted on the shaft with the drive pulley 124 constantly rotated therefrom at such a speed that slack is continuously present between the roll 156 and the feed roll 113. It will be evident that the feed roll 113 is rotated at a rate of s ed substantially higher than the speed 0 the delivery roll 156, so that slack is intermittently imparted to and taken from the length of strand between the two rolls. This insures the presence of the necessary length of material for the intermittent operation of the roll 113 without imposing any strain upon the strand as it passes through the roll 156.

In order automatically to stop the machine in the event that a cross strand is not inserted or only partially traverses the shed passage, an automatic feeler stop motion is provided. To this end, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, a depending abutment 160 is positioned at the end of the shed passage opposite the point of insertion of the cross strand. This abutment is connected with the drive mechanism in such a manner that failure of a cross strand to engage with the abutment causes the drive mechanism to be automatically disconnected. To this end, the machine is provided with a drive pulley 162 loosely rotating on the drive shaft 116 and connected thereto through a sliding clutch member 164. This clutch member is operated in the usual manner by a shipper lever 166 and when moved to the right in Fig. 3 serves to connect the main shaft 116 to the drive pulley. The shipper lever 166 has connected thereto a drag link 168 provided with a notched end 170 which engages with an upwardly extending lug 172 formed on a pivoted latch 174 upon which the abutment 160 is mounted. As indicated more particularly in Figs. 7 and 8, the cooperating members 170 and 172 normally engage with one another in such a manner that the pivoted latch cannot drop downwardly. At a predetermined interval during each revolution of the main shaft, however, the shipper lever 166 is normally moved to the right in Fig. 3 by engagement of a roll 180 with a cam projection 182 formed upon a hub 184. With this construction, the engagement of the cam projection with the roll 180 moves the shipper lever and the notched end 170 to the right in Figs. 3 and 7, permitting the pivoted latch 174 to drop downwardly unless otherwise retained in position. If a cross strand is properly inserted, as indicated in Fig. 7, this dropping movement of the latch is prevented and as soon as the cam projection 182 passes the roll the spring moves the shipper lever to the left, engaging the cooperating faces of the members 170 and 172 and thereafter holding the latch in position. If no cross strand is inserted, however, or if the cross strand fails to contact with the abutment 160, the latch is permitted to drop upon movement to the right of the notched end 170, permitting the shipper lever to move to the left after the cam projection 182 has passed the roll sufficiently to engage the driving clutch and stop the machine. The downward movement of the latch in the event that no cross strand is present is limited by a set screw 186 which contacts with a fixed portion of the machine frame 188.

The fabric after its formation by the co operating shed forming teeth may pass between cooperating straightening and flattening rolls 1% and 192, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and extends therefrom to a receiving roll 194 journaled in supports 196 mounted ahead of the machine frame. The receiving.

roll 194 is rotated biyl' belts 198 driven from grooves 203 cut in t e hubs of the cams 50. The belt passes over pulleys 205 mounted at opposite ends of the receiving roll and tation is imparted to the receiving roll to maintain the fabric taut but the driving belts are permitted to sli to coordinate the movements ofthe receiving roll with the intimate feeding of the fabrics The opposite edges of the fabric after its completion may be trimmed by cooperating sets of cutter members or shears 210 and 212 mounted upon the upper and lower cross hea'ds 32 and 33. As indicated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, these shears engage and trim opposite edges of the fabric as it emerges from between the shed forming members. If it is desired to sever the fabric in a longitudinal direction between the two side portions, a third set of shear members 214 may be mounted upon the cross-heads midway of their length, as indicated in Fig. 1. It will be obvious that this cutting movement takes place during the movement of the shed forming teeth toward one another and during the period that the fabric isheld stationary.

The diagonal strands are automatically controlled through a mechanism which feeds the strands to the cooperating guide rolls at predetermined intervals. The strands are also automatically severed in predetermined lengths upon insertion of the fabric. To this end, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 11 to 17, the two feed drums or spools 225 and 226 are journaled respectively in supporting frames 227 and 228, Supported as indicated in Figs. 11 and 12 at inclinations corresponding to the inclination of the diagonal strands. Each' of these feed drums contains an endless length of wire or flat strand which is passed from the drum directly to guide members 230 and 232. Each of these guide members, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 15 and 16, comprises a bar 234 with a slot 236 formed in the underside and closed by a hinged cover 238 which is normally retained in closed or operative position by springs 240. The round or flat strands are guided in the closed passage formed by the slot and cover. The inner end of each of the guide members terminates at 242 in proximity to the helical groove in one of the feed rolls in such a manner that the end of a strand emerging from the closed passage is engaged in the slot and fed upon rotation of the roll. The feeding and cutting of the strands is accomplished automatically and at predetermined intervals in each case by a lower grooved feed roll 244 journaled in the frame at 246 and continuously rotated from a counter shaft 248 through pulleys 249 and 250 connected by a driving belt 252. The

-counter shaft 248 is continuously rotated from the cam shaft of the machine through sprockets 255 and 256 connected by a drive chain 257. Each of the strands is caused .to engage with and be fed by the grooved roll 244 through a cooperating roll 260 mounted upon the end of a pivoted lever 262 which is engaged at its opposite end in an arm 264. The arm 264 is fulcrumed at 265 and is operated through a link 266 from an arm'267. The arm 267 is mounted on a rock shaft 269 which in turn is operated at predetermined intervals through an arm 271, a link 273 and an arm 275.' The arm 275 is provided with a cam roll 277 which engages with the periphery of a cam 279. The roll is normally held against the periphery of the cam by a spring 280. The roll 260 is depressed at predetermined intervals to feed a strand longitudinally in the guide passage into engagement with the guide rolls. Upon elevation of the roll, the arm 264 is depressed, bringing two cooperating cutter mcmbers 274 and 276 into engagement to sever the strand in a V-shaped cut. At the same time, the hinged covers of the guide passages are swung aside to open the passages to permit the severed strands to drop downwardly. This is accomplished, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 11 to 13, through a pivoted lever 281 mounted on a support 282 and operated from the rock shaft 269 through a link 284 and an arm 285. The lever 281 is connected with the hinged cover of each guide passage through links 286 and 287 respectively, each of these links connecting at its lower end with a stud 288 projecting from the side of the hinged cover.

e proper insertion of the diagonal strands is automatically detected by a mechanism which renders the feed inoperative when either one or both strands are improperly inserted or when no strand is inserted. To this end, a spring contact member 300 is located behind one end of each of the upper and lower guide rolls in position to be engaged by the advanced end of a strand properly inserted therein. The spring contact is supported upon a second metallic contact 302 and insulated therefrom at 304. The second contact is insulated from the upper cross-head at 306. The two sets of contacts and the circuit in which they are included are more particularly indicated in Fig. 19. As shown in this figure, insertion of both cross strands closes the circuit through the two sets of contacts and energizes an elec tromagnet 308 attracting a solenoid 310. The electromagnet 308 is shown more particularly in Fig. 4 and is provided with a pivoted armature 310 carrying a feed pawl 84. Unless the magnet is energized, the pawl is not maintained in operative relation to the ratchet wheel 84 and no movement of the ratchet ensues upon the operation of the pawl. When the magnet is energized, on the other hand, by the proper insertion of both diagonal strands the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and causes rotation of the latter to rotate the guide wheels and advance the fabric. It will be evident that with this construction the machine is automatically stopped in whole or in part upon failure of either the cross or diagonal strands to be inserted. Thispermits the machine to be automatically controlled without the necessity of constant attention on the part of the operator. Not only does the contact member or finger 300 serve to determine the presence of a diagonal strand, but in addition this finger functions as a limiting stop to insure'the proper positioning lengthwise of the diagonal strands with relation to the feed rolls and shed forming members.

It will be evident that if a fourth or lontudinal strand is to be incorporated in the bric these strands may be fed directly to the guide rolls from suitably located feed drums without the necessity for severing. For the purpose of simplifying the draw ings, the mechanism for feeding the longitudinal strands to the guide rolls has not been shown.

It may be desirable under certain conditions to sever the extended ends of the diagonal strands after they are partially incorporated in the fabric and to this end, as shown in Fi 3, cooperating shearing members 325 an 326 are mounted at opposite ends of the crossheads and are adapted to engage and shear the extended ends of the diagonal strands, if too long, when the crossheads move together to form the shed.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, means for automatically delivering to the shed forming mechanism in predetermined arrangement two sets of strands extending diagonally with respect to one another, and means for inserting a cross strand in the passage produced by the shed forming mechanism.

2. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, means for automatically delivering to the shed forming mechanism in predetermined arrangement two sets of strands extending diagonally with respect to one another, and means for inserting a cross strand of predetermined length in the passage produced by the shed forming mechamsm.

3. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, means for automatically delivering to the shed forming mechanism in predetermined arrangement two sets of strands extending diagonally with respect to one another, means'for inserting a cross strand in the passage produced by the shed forming mechanism, and means for automatically stopping the feed if either or both diagonal strands fail to be delivered to the guide mechanism.

4. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed form ing mechanism, means for automatically delivering to the predetermined arrangement two sets of strands extending diag'onally with respect to one another, means for inserting a cross strand in the passage produced by the shed forming mechanism, and stop mechanism operated by the absence of any one of the diagonal or cross strands.

5. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, a series of strand guidin grooves positioned in proximity to the shed forming mechanism and designed to maintain two sets of strands in predetermined relation to the shed forming mechanism, means for delivering strands individually to the guide grooves, and means for inserting a cross strand in the passage produced by the shed forming mechanism.

6. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, a series of strand uiding grooves positioned in proximity to t e shed orming mechanism and designed to maintain two sets of strands in predetermined relation to the shed forming mechanism, means for delivering two strands of predetermined length to the guide grooves, and means for deliverin a cross strand to the passage produced by the shed forming mechanism.

7. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprisin shed forming mechanism, two sets of guife grooves ositioned in proximity to the shed forming mechanism and desi ed to maintain the two sets of strands 1n predetermined relation to the shed forming mechanism, mechanism for operating the shed forming mechanism and guide grooves in a manner to maintain a predetermined arrangement of the strands as the latter are fed into the fabric and to intermittently form shed passages therebetween, means for inserting a cross strand in the shed passage, and stop mechanism operative upon failure of the cross strand to traverse throughout the length of the shed passage.

8. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising opposed shed forming mechanism in sets of shed forming teeth, a cross-head supporting each set of teeth, toggle mechanism for moving the cross-heads toward and from one another, a cam for operating the tog le mechanism intermittently and means or continuously rotating the cam to produce shed passages at predetermined intervals.

9. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising upper and lower cross-heads, a series of shed forming teeth mounted on each cross-head, a fulcrumed lever supporting each cross-head, toggle mechanism for operating each lever, and a common actuating mechanism for intermittently operating both toggles to move the cross-heads toward and from one another simultaneously.

10. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, means for guiding two sets of diagonal strands to the shed forming mechanism, means for intermittently operating the mechanism to form a series of shed passages between the diagonal strands, means for automatically delivering a cross strand of predetermined length to the shed passage thus formed, and a mechanical stop motion made operative by failure of a cross strand to traverse throughout the length of the shed passage.

11. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, means for guiding two sets of diagonal strands to the shed forming mechanism, means for operating the shed forming mechanism intermittently, means for delivering a cross strand to the shed passage thus formed, a receiving roll positioned in advance of the shed forming mechanism and designed to receive the completed fabric, and means for frictionally rotating the receiving roll during the operation of the machine.

12. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising shed forming mechanism, means for delivering two sets of diagonal strands maintained in predetermined arrangement to the shed forniin mechanism, means for operating the shed orming mechanism intermittently, means for delivering a cross strand to the shed passage, and means for automatically trimming the completed fabric in a lengthwise direction.

13. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising, cooperating grooved guide rolls, closed guide passages disposed diagonally with respect to one another and designed to deliver strands to opposite ends of the guide rolls, and means for intermittently opening the guide passages to permit the discharge of strands therefrom.

14. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising cooperating grooved guide rolls, closed guide passages disposed diagonally with respect to one another and designed to deliver strands to opposite ends of the guide rolls, and means for automatically severing a predetermined length of strand and guide passage and for opening the guide passageto discharge-the severed length of strand therefrom.

15. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising cooperating grooved guide rolls, and means for automatically delivering a diagonal strand of predetermined length to the groox e adjacent one end of each guide. roll.

16. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising, cooperating grooved guide rolls, means for automatically delivering a diagonal strand of pre; determined length to the groove adjacent one end of each guide roll, and feeler mechanism designed to indicate the failure of a strand to penetrate the groove in the guide roll.

17. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising, guide mechanism having a series of diagonal guide grooves adapted to maintain a predetermined relationship of the diagonal strands, means for delivering two sets of diagonal strands of predetermined lengthsimultaneously to the guide mechanism, means for feeding the strands after their insertion in the guide mechanism, and means for stopping the feeding mechanism in the event that either strand is not completely inserted in the guide mechanism.

18. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics of non-flaccid material comprising means for guiding two-sets of spaced and independent strands, the strands of one set being disposed diagonally with relation to the strands of the cooperating set, means for accurately determining the position of the leading end of a diagonal strand in each set upon its initial insertion in the guide means, and mechanism for imparting an intermittent movement to the guide means to traverse the guiding points of the strands across the path of feed.

19. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising cooperating members having guiding slots formed therein disposed diagonally with relation to one another, means for intermittently operating the members, and a stop finger positioned beyond the members and designed to contact with the leading end of a diagonal strand and determine its lengthwise position upon initial insertion.

20. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising means for guiding a plurality of sets of parallel strands extending diagonally with relation to one another, intermittently operated feed members for inserting cross strands therebetween, and contniuously operated delivery means adapted to maintain a slack condition of the cross strands to facilitate supply to the delivery member. I

21. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics comprising means for guiding a plurality of sets of parallel strands extending diagonally with relation to one another, cooperating feed rolls for delivering cross strands therebetween, means for intermittently operating the rolls, continuously operated delivery rolls, and means for operating the delivery rolls at a rate of speed less than that of the feed rolls.

22. Apparatus for the production of diagonal strand fabrics of non-flaccid material comprising mechanism for guiding two sets of spaced strands extending diagonally with relation to one another, means for imparting an intermittent movement to the guide means to traverse the guiding points of the strands across the path of feed, and means for automatically stopping the feed if either mechanism, toggle mechanism for moving the crossheads toward and from one another,

and means for operating the toggles to impart an intermittent motion to the crossheads.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRANCIS B. RILEY. 

